Matt Schaub is starting on Sunday against the Jets.
No ifs.
No ands.
No buts.
A week ago on Monday Night Football against the Vikings, Schaub sprained his left ankle after a scramble in Minnesota territory. Ever since then, the interest level in the competition between Dan Orlovsky and Rex Grossman was ratcheted up by fans and the media who cover the team. But if you've listened to Schaub, there hasn't been too much need to worry.
"I just felt a little something in my ankle and it kind of progressively got a little sore," Schaub said to the media after the Vikings game. "I was able to stay in there and just came in at the half and figured it was best to just get some treatment on it. We're just going to move forward and be ready for Week 1."
If that wasn't enough, he practiced with the team during the week leading up to the Bucs game, and reasserted his readiness Wednesday afternoon in the locker room.
"I'm very confident I will be (starting on Sunday)," Schaub said.
When he was asked whether or not he was 100 percent ready for the contest with New York, he made the ever salient point that "in this business, I don't think that you ever are 100 percent."
So Schaub is set for the Jets and begins his third season as the starting quarterback for the Texans.
Behind him, though, the pecking order has changed.
Rex Grossman lit up the Tampa Bay secondary in the Texans' 27-20 victory in the preseason finale. He relieved Dan Orlovsky to start the second quarter and connected with Jacoby Jones for an 87-yard touchdown pass on his first attempt. After that, he marched the offense down the field for an 11-play drive that finished with a touchdown to James Casey. The next three series culminated with the Texans putting points on the board. His final stat line was an efficient 9-of-16 passing for 197 yards.
On Tuesday, Gary Kubiak swapped Grossman and Orlovsky on the depth chart.
"It's a good opportunity for me," Grossman said. "I'm going to be ready. I feel good about this offense. This situation is exciting for me, to be part of this organization and this offense. If I get another opportunity to play, I'm just going to have the same mindset: Have fun and let it go."
Kubiak, a longtime backup to John Elway during his playing career, explained the switch to the media after Tuesday's practice.
"I'm kind of drawing from what I've seen him do in the past, and I'm just very comfortable with him right now," Kubiak said. "It was very difficult for one of them and, of course, one of them is very happy. That's just the nature of the business. I expect Dan to handle it like a pro and get better every day out here."
Orlovsky was disappointed with the switch but understood why it happened. He vowed to stay ready in case something happens to Schaub and/or Grossman.
"I'm going to do everything I can to put this team first and continue to have the same mindset," Orlovsky said. "I'm just going to continue to work. I will take what Coach said to me to heart and improve on it. I respect the heck out of Coach. I know he's going to do what's best for this team and if that's what he feels is best right now, then that's what he's going to do."
The backup situation has changed and both players say they're ready if Schaub can't play. But with only three days to go before the opener, all signs point to Schaub being healthy enough to lead the offense.
